Table 1. Classifications of postoperative pulmonary complications of thoracic surgery.
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Grade I | Any deviation from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacological treatment, or surgical, endoscopic, and radiological interventions |
| Cough | Transient, not due to other causes |
| Dyspnea | Generally can be relieved by oxygen inhalation |
| Microatelectasis, microaerothorax or air leakage | Do not need any intervention or treatment |
| Grade II | Requiring pharmacological treatment with drugs other than such allowed for grade I complications |
| Atelectasis needing bronchoscope and aspirations | |
| Persistent air leak | Need abortion, re-intubation or other therapeutic strategies |
| Pneumonia or wound infection | Positive bacterial cultures, needing antibiotics change or other therapeutic strategies |
| Dyspnea | Needing pharmacological intervention or ventilator support |
| Pleural effusion | Needing tube relocation or thoracentesis |
| Mechanical ventilation <48 h | |
| Grade III | Requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention |
| Empyema | |
| Mechanical ventilation >48 h | |
| Bronchopleural fistula | |
| Chylothorax | |
| Grade IV | Life-threatening complication (including central nervous system complications) requiring IC/ICU management |
| Pulmonary embolism | |
| ARDS | |
| Single or multi organ failure | |
| Return to ICU | Due to other life-threatening complications or organ dysfunction |
| Grade V | Death of a patient |
| Death |
According to Dindo et al. (15). IC, intermediate care; ICU, intensive care unit; ARDS, adult respiratory distress syndrome.